Struggling to come up with a plan for a romantic night out this Valentine’s Day? Take a hint from some of these Brooklyn luminaries who know what love is:

David Diamante, Nets announcer and owner of Diamante’s Brooklyn Cigar Lounge: “For guys: buy a month’s membership to the famed Gleason’s Gym. For gals: Pick up her favorite flowers from your local Brooklyn farmers market. For dinner, visit La Palina — an old-school, red-sauce Italian restaurant in Bensonhurst. Get the baked clams.”

Betsy Devine, owner of Salvatore Ricotta: “Make your way out to Melody Bowling Lanes on 37th Street and Fifth Avenue. While rolling a few games is fun, the real draw is sidling up to the bar. The barkeep Peter is a living legend. Order the jalapeno poppers and a White Russian, though maybe bring your own milk as they don’t always have a gallon on hand.”

Adam Wilson, writer, author of “Flatscreen”: “Art of Natural Beauty in Cobble Hill has some excellent V-Day deals. There’s a package where you each get a massage, then they leave you and your date alone together in a room with a jacuzzi, sauna, and shower for a while. Free strawberries too, if I remember correctly.”

Douglas Calhoun, bartender at Red Hook’s Fort Defiance: “A good first date that’s sure to hook a cultural type is a show or movie at Brooklyn Academy of Music followed by a nightcap at No. 7 on Greene Street. They have great cocktails and relaxed but upscale vibe.”

Reasonable discourse

Comments closed.

First name

Last name

Your neighborhood

Email address

Daytime phone

Your letter must be signed and include all of the information requested above. (Only your name and neighborhood are published with the letter.) Letters should be as brief as possible; while they may discuss any topic of interest to our readers, priority will be given to letters that relate to stories covered by The Brooklyn Paper.

Letters will be edited at the sole discretion of the editor, may be published in whole or part in any media, and upon publication become the property of The Brooklyn Paper. The earlier in the week you send your letter, the better.